Virtual Reality Therapy: A Game-Changer for Social Anxiety Treatment
As a CBT therapist specialising in social anxiety, I'm always excited to share new developments that can help my clients overcome their fears! Today, I want to talk about something that's revolutionising how we treat social anxiety - Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) and something I incorporate into my practice. I've seen firsthand how it's opening up new possibilities for anxiety treatment and now the research is confirming this!
What's the Research Saying?
A comprehensive new study in Neuroscience Applied has confirmed what I've observed in my practice - VRET is proving to be comparably effective as traditional exposure therapy for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD) and public speaking anxiety. The research shows significant improvements that last up to 12 months after treatment, with some studies even reporting benefits continuing for up to six years. The beauty of VR therapy is that clients can continue to keep up their skills with VR at home.
Why VR Therapy Works So Well
Here's what makes VRET particularly effective for my clients:
It's Accessible: Often we do not have access to situations that cause the most anxiety to begin to practice. Think public speaking to large audiences, job interviews, presenting to a group of people, etc. VR means we can practice this regularly.
We Have Complete Control: Unlike real-world exposure, we can pick virtual environments to match your comfort level. Feeling overwhelmed? We can adjust or stop the scenario instantly.
Practice Makes Perfect: VR allows us to repeat scenarios as many times as needed, something that's often impractical in traditional therapy. Whether it's giving a speech or attending a virtual party, you can practice until you feel confident.
Tolerating Anxiety Symptoms: I find that many people struggle with managing anxiety symptoms during social situations. For example - going red, shaking or having a heart palpitations. They then respond to these by trying to fight them, which creates more anxiety. By using VR, we can recreate the situation and the symptoms, and learn then-and-there how to respond differently.
A 3D VR Headset
What to Expect in VR Therapy
A typical VR therapy session in my practice might involve:
Wearing a comfortable VR headset or using your smart-phone in a smartphone headset
Entering virtual scenarios like meeting rooms, auditoriums, or social gatherings
Practicing coping strategies in real-time while I guide you
Gradually increasing the challenge as your confidence grows
Looking to the Future
As VR technology continues to advance, we're seeing even more possibilities for treating social anxiety and other difficulties. From improved graphics to more realistic interactions, each development makes this treatment option more effective.
How VR Creates "Real" Anxiety
Here's something interesting that helps explain why VR therapy is so effective - think about the last time you watched a horror film. Even though you knew you were safe on your sofa, your heart probably still raced, and you might have even jumped or felt genuine fear. (I'm thinking of when I recently watched 'The Substance'!). This happens because our brains process virtual experiences in ways similar to real ones, especially when it comes to emotional responses.
The same principle applies in VR therapy. When my clients put on the headset and find themselves standing in front of a virtual audience, their bodies and minds respond much like they would in a real situation - their heart rate increases, they might feel butterflies in their stomach, and they experience genuine anxiety. Yes your "thinking" brain knows it is not real, but your emotional brain is reacting as if it is, and this is what we are harnessing. It means we can practice managing these physical and emotional responses in a safe, controlled environment, while your brain is having a "real enough" experience to learn from.
My Professional Take
After incorporating VR therapy into my practice and seeing the research support its effectiveness, I'm more convinced than ever that it represents a significant step forward in treating social anxiety. While it's not a magic solution, it's a powerful tool that, when combined with traditional CBT techniques, can help create lasting positive change.
I'm excited to see the future of research, combined with advancements in VR and AI that will continue to further this innovative treatment.
Note: While this blog post is based on current research, every individual's experience with anxiety is unique. Always consult with a mental health professional to determine the best treatment approach for your specific situation. This blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. If you're struggling with social anxiety or low self-esteem, consider reaching out to a mental health professional who can provide personalised guidance and support. If you're a professional sharing this blog with your patient, you do so at your own risk and professional judgement. Blog posts do not constitute supervisory advice.